'Antisemitism in medicine is a patient care crisis,' says AJMA CEO Eveline Shekhman - interview

Eveline Shekhman, CEO of the newly founded American Jewish Medical Association (AJMA), has declared that antisemitism in medicine constitutes a "patient care crisis." She established AJMA in the wake of the October 7 attacks, observing a surge in alarming incidents targeting Jewish doctors, nurses, and medical students across the United States. These included doxxing and fear of speaking openly in professional settings.

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antisemitism in medicine is, at its core, a patient care crisis

AJMA now represents around 3000 Jewish medical professionals and 400 students nationwide. Shekhman emphasized the organization's unique position, stating, "We're the only ones that eat, sleep, breathe health care. We know health care because our members are all health care providers across all levels, across all specialties." The group's primary focus is maintaining a "patient-first" environment, free from discrimination and external distractions.

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We're the only ones that eat, sleep, breathe health care. We know health care because our members are all health care providers across all levels, across all specialties

Shekhman testified before the US House Committee on Education and Workforce, highlighting how geopolitical issues can disrupt medical settings. She cited examples such as a surgical tech wearing a keffiyeh or a Palestinian flag as a distraction that compromises patient care. AJMA also scrutinizes hospital policies and bylaws, including dress codes, to address such disruptions. Shekhman noted that US case law supports removing political symbols or actions that disturb patients in a care setting, potentially leading to reprimands for healthcare providers.

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Right now we're just focusing on patient care environment, making sure that it stays patient-first, that there's no discrimination, that it is safe, that geopolitics doesn't enter that space, that there are no distractions.